Paintbrush-cleaning machine



May 13 1924.

1,493,917 H. B. BRANDON ET AL PAINTBRUSH CLEANING MACHINE Filed Sent. 14 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 13 1924.

. 1,493,917 H. B. BRANDON ET AL PAINTBRUSH CLEANING MACHINE v Filed Sept. 14. 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 13, 1924.

was STATES PATENT em HARRY Bner'rnn BRANDON AND crreanns a s'rnwenr, or w'ononsr- En, reasseonusnrrs, ASSIGNOR-S, BY mnsnn ASSIGNMENTS, r0 JOHN A. someones, or

WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

rnmrnausn-onnnnrive MACHINE.

Application filed September 14,1921. sen-5'1 in. 560,506.

To aZZ whom it may concern Be it known that we, TTARRYB. BRANDON and CHARLES A. STEWART, citizens of the United States, residing at Worcester, in the county of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Paintl'nush-Cleaning Machine, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a machine for cleaning paint brushes. I

The principal objects of the invention are to provide a practical machine for cleaning paint brushes that have been neglected and are in a comparatively hard condition owing to the fact that more or less paint has been left among the bristles in a semi-hardened or plastic condition. The paint in this condition prrwents the use of the brushes with-out cleaning and the cleaning operation has usually been performed by hand heretofore.

The invention is capable of use also on brushes which are rendered useless by the paint becoming thoroughly hardened thereon but in that case it is better to loosen up the bristles by a mechanical neans before applying them to the machine. y

The invention also involves the provision of improved means for holding the brush in proper position in the machine for cleaning purposes, improved means for holding the brush cleaning elements detachably in position, improved means for forcing a cleaning fluid against the brush to be cleaned. means for preventing the splashing of the cleaning fluid outside the device, and various details of construction relating thereto. I

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear hereinafter.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a plan of a preferred embodiment of this invention;

Fig. 2 is an end view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional View of the inside of the device taken at the center;

Fig. 4 is an inside elevation of the brush holding mechanism on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 5 is an end View of the frame therefor:

Fig. 6 is an elevation on an enlarged scale of the operating shaft and elements carried by it, and

Fig. 7 is a sectional view on the line 77 ofFi 6, "showing the cleaning elements in position.

This machine operates on the following to be cleaned is placed n positionihaking a. certain angle with an operating shaft. This shaft has proiecting from it one or more series of wire bristles spaced apart circumferentially androtatable in. a path that intersects the bristles of the brush to be cleaned. The several sets of bristles on the shaft are spaced apart so far that every time one of these sets of bristles engages the brush to be cleaned the bristles of the latter are bent back and then have a chance to straighten ing crank or handle 13 fixed to it. This gear meshes with a pinion 14 and rotates the latter obviously at a high speed. The pinion '14 is mounted on the outer end of the operating shaft 15. v p y The operating shaft extends through the two ends of the casing 10 and is centrally located with respect to it, being carried in bearings on the two end supports 11. Mounted on this shaft 15 is a casting or other metal plate 16 extending along the shaft throughout the main part of its length and provided with two end walls 17 which have perforations for receiving the shaft. These ends are spaced apart throughout the length of the casting 16, and another cast or forged plate 18 is mounted in the space between them. This is provided with projections 19 entering sockets 20 in the casting 16. These sockets extend only part way through the side walls and thus locate the two plates 16 and 18 with respect to each other. Bolts 21 pass through these two plates 16 and 18 and also through the shaft 15 to firmly fix these parts together so that they will rotate with the shaft positively.

These two plates 16 and 18 are finished off along surfaces 22 inside to receive opposite flanges 23 of a pair of cleaning brushes 24:. Each of these cleaning brushes is formed of a tuft of wire bristles having a base or head of sheet metal from which the flanges 23 project in opposite directions. The flanges are formed by means of L-shaped pieces of sheet metal soldered or otherwise secured to said base. This base also holds the bristles 2a which are formed of tempered steel wire and are arranged in flat rectangular series. We have shown only two of these brushes fixed to rotate with the shaft '15 as we find that that constitutes a sufficient cleaning element for the purpose intended. They are gripped between the adjacent edges of the two plates 16 and 18 and firmly held in position by tightening up the'nuts on the bolts 21.

On this shaft there are also two splashers 26 each consisting of a piece of sheet metal riveted or otherwise secured to the opposite ends 17. Their ends project in opposite directions from the centers and are twisted at an angle in opposite directions to form'splashing plates. The direction of the twist in each case is so arranged that they will splash the cleaning fluid in the form of gasoline or the like, on the brush to be cleaned, located in the position hereinafter described.

Supported at the ends" of the shaft, but not rotatable with it,'are a pair of brackets 30 located inside the casing and at its opposite ends. Each of these brackets is sector shaped and has a concave seat in its lower end adapted to receive a collar 31 mounted on the shaft 15. This constitutes the supporting frame for this part of the device. The two brackets 30 are connected by a curved sheet metal plate 32 extending from one to the other. This plate is provided with a rectagular opening 33 through it along the top of which is a metal strip 8 1 having a row of perforations through it.

Mounted to slide in the opening 33 are two slides 35,.each one having a metal strip 36 at one end providedwith a projection overlapping the strip 34: and thus forming a guide and handle for the slide. Also on the under side of the sheet metal plate 32 are a pair of guides 37 for the slides. On the end of each of the strips 36 is a handle 38. One of these handles is provided with a plunger 39 operated by a knurled head 40 and adapted to enter in one of the perforations in the strip 34. The other is. without this plunger but that slide is provided with springs 11 on the inside for forcing it over into closed position under spring pressure against a stop 29. Y

It will be observed that the whole structure, consisting of the brackets 30 and the sheet metal plate 32, is pivotally mounted on the shaft 15. Therefore it is capable of swinging inside the cylinder. The cylinder is provided with a pair of stops in the form of screws 42 which extend down inside into a slot between projections 43 and 44: on the outer edge of the brackets 30. These screws have to be taken out in order to permit of the swinging of the plate beyond the points at which it is stopped by these screws. The brackets 30 rest by gravity in a position with the project-ions 4a in contact with the screws 4.2.

On the top of the cylinder 1.0 there is a rectangular opening L5 located in such position that the plates 32 and 35 normally close c it. This opening is surrounded by a cast 1ron frame as which, 1n actual practice, constltutes the boundary or effective opening for the brushes to be cleaned. Its lower wall is made slanting at the proper angle to re ceive a brush and point its bristles into the casing in such a position as to be most effectively acted on by the cleaning bristles 24 inside. The direction is substantially radial.

On the casting a6 is pivoted a splash plate 47 which is provided with a passage 48 for the handle of the brush, with downwardly extending flanges 49 adapted to engage the slanting wall 46 on which the brush rests, and with a sheet metal handle 50 for manipulating it.

We have shown an outlet opening 51 at the bottom having a hollow cylindrical projection extending down therefrom. This is for draining out the cleaning compound whenever desired. A cap 52 is screwed. on it from the bottom to hold it in position.

In the operation of the device the. plate 32 normally rests as far down as it can go with the two handles 88 resting on the inclined surface 16. The handle having the plunger 39 is moved over to the left a distance of about half the width of the paint brush to be cleaned and the plunger insert ed in the nearest perforation. The other handle is moved back against its springs far enough to admit the paint brush between the two slides. The brush is then inserted fiatwise, resting against the surface 46 and the right hand or spring pressed slide released. The springs force it against the edge of the brush so that the brush is held between the two slides about centrally. Now, the whole frame consisting of the end castings 30 and the plate 32 is allowed to swing downwardly until the strip 34L rests on the brush and pushes the brush down against the surface of the casting 4:6. The brush is located with all parts of its bristles inside the casing and its handle outside projecting through the notch in the cover. Now the handle 13 is turned as rapidly as may be desired. This rotates the bristles 2e: quite rapidly inside and with them the splash plates 26. The

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latter splash the cleaning compound, with which the bottom of the cylinder is supplied, against the brush to be cleaned, from both sides. The bristles 24 alternately engage the brush to be cleaned and swing it back to loosen the. paint.

It is found in operation that this is a most efficient means for cleaning brushes practically in all states of hardness.

Although we have illustrated and described only a single form of the invention, we are awareof the fact that modifications can be made therein by any person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the claims. Therefore, we do not wish to be limited to all the details of construction herein shown and described, but what we do claim is 1. In a machine for cleaning paint from a paint brush, the combination with a shaft, a brush cleaning element on the shaft comprising wire bristles spaced circumferentially around it, and means for rotating said shaft at a high speed, of a casing in which said shaft is located, said casing having an opening therethrough for receiving the paint brush, a wall surrounding said opening and having a surface located in position, substantially in alignment with the center of said shaft, for supporting the paint brush with its bristles projecting into the casing radially, means for holding the brush against said surface by the action of gravity, and a pair of slides for engaging the opposite edges of the paint brush to assist in holding it in position.

2. In a machine for cleaning paint from a paint brush, the combination with a shaft, a brush cleaning element on the shaft, and means for rotating said shaft at a high speed, of a casing in which said shaft 15 located, said casing having an opening therethrough for receiving the paint brush, a wall surrounding said opening and having a surface located in a position inclined to the horizontal and in alignment with the center of said shaft for supporting the paint brush with its bristles against said surface, a pair of slides located to move longitudinally with respect to the shaft, means for adjusting the position of one of said slides positively, and yielding means for normally to cing the other slide toward the adjustable slide to hold the paint brush.

3. In a machine for cleaning paint brushes, the combination with. a shaft, a brush cleaning element on the shaft, and means for rotating said shaft, of a casing in which said shaft is located, said casing having an opening therethrough for receiving the paint brush, the wall of said opening having an inclined surface, means for holding the brush against said surface by the action of gravity, and a pair of slides for engaging the edges of the paint brush to assist in l'iolding it in position, said holding means comprising'a strip, and a frame on which said strip is mounted, said frame being located to swing on the shaft as a center and being arranged to swing by gravity toward said supporting surface.

i. In a machine for cleaning paint from a paint brush, the combination with a brush cleaning element, and means for rotating said element at a high speed, of a casing in which said element is located, said casing having an opening therethrough for receiving the paint brush, a pair of slides for engaging the opposite edges of the paint brush to assist in holding it in position, springs for closing one slide, a pivoted frame in the casing on which said slides are mounted, a pair of longitudinal guides on thefinside of said frame for guiding the slides to move in alignment, and a stop near the center of the frame for limiting the motion of the spring pressed slide.

5. In a machine for cleaning paint brushes, the combination with a brush cleaning element, and means for rotating said element, of a casing in which said element is located, said casing having an opening therethrough for receiving the paint brush, and having a surface in alignment with the center of said element for supporting the paint brush with its bristles projecting into the casing, a pair of slides for engaging the edges of the paint brush to assist in holding lit in position, a frame on which said slides are mounted comprisin two pivoted end pieces of sector-shape, ant a. sheet metal plateof arcuate shape secured to the edges of said end pieces and located just inside the casing.

6. In a machine for cleaning brushes, the combination with a shaft, and a brush cleaning element on the shaft, of a casing in which said shaft is located, said casing having an opening therethrough for receiving the paint brush and provided with a surface for supporting the paint brush with its bristles projecting into the casing, a pair of slides for engaging the edges of the paint brush to assist in holding it in position, a movable frame on which said slides are mounted comprising two end pieces of sector-shape pivoted on the shaft, and a sheet metal plate of arcuate shape secured to the edges of said end pieces and located just inside the casing below said opening, each of said end piece-s having a notch bounded by radial surfaces constituting stops, and a stop screw at each end of the casing removably extending into said spaces for limiting the motion of the frame.

7 In a machine for cleaning paint brushes, the combination of a casing having an opening therethrough for receiving the paint brush and having a surface located in inclined position for supporting the paint brush to be cleaned, a pair of slides located paint to move longitudinally with respect to the casing, means for adjusting the position of one of said slides positively, and yielding means for normally forcing the other slide toward the adjustable slide to hold the paint brush, said adjusting means comprising a series of perforations in the casing, and a handle on the adjustable slide having a plunger adapted to enter said perforations.

8.111 a machine for cleaning a paint brush, the combination of a brush cleaning element, means for rotating said element at a high speed, a casing in which said element is located, said casing having an opening therethrough for receiving the paint brush, a pivoted frame in the casing, a pair of slides on the frame for engaging the opposite edges of the paint brush to assist in holding it in position, a pair of longitudinal guides on the inside of said f1. me for guiding the slides to move in alignment, and a pivoted cover for said opening having a passage for the handle of a brush.

9. In a paint brush cleaning machine, the combination with a casing having means for locating the brusl with its bristles projecting inside, of a shaft centrally journalled therein, a pair of plates clamped on opposite sides of said shaft and brush tufts, each comprising a sheet metal base with wire bristles extending from it, detachably clamped between the edges of said plates.

10. In a paint brush cleaning machine, the combination with a casing, of a shaft journalled therein, a plurality of plates on said shaft, brush tufts each comprising a flanged base with wire bristles extending from it clamped between the edges of said plates, and means for detachably holding said plates on the shaft.

11. In a paint brush cleaning machine, the combination with a casing, of a shaft journalled therein, a plurality of plates clamped on said shaft, brush tufts each c0mprising a T-shaped base with wire bristles extending from it clamped between the edges of said plates, and means for registering said plates, with respect to each other, one plate having integral ends between which the other plate is located.

12. In a paint brush cleaning machine, the combination with a casing, of a shaft journalled therein, a plurality of plates clamped on said shaft, brush tufts each com prising a T-shaped base with wire bristles extending from it clamped between the edges of said plates, one of said plates hav ing perforated transverse end walls by which they are centered on the shaft and a splash plate located on the outer surface of each of said ends, said plates having the ends twisted to cause a liquid in the casing to be splashed inwardly from both ends as the shaft is rotated.

13. In a paint brush cleaning machine, the combination with a casing, of a shaft journalled therein, a plurality of plates clamped on said shaft, brush tufts clamped between said plates, one of said plates having perforated transverse end walls by which they are centered on the shaft and a splash plate located on the outer surface of each of said ends, said plates having the ends twisted to cause a liquid in the casing to be splashed inwardly from both ends as the shaft is rotated.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto aiiixed our signatures.

HARRY BRATTEN BRANDON. CHARLES A. STEWART. 

